I have been going to Cliff's since I was young, so I am a little biased on this account, but I strive to go back every time I re-visit the area. Reading other reviews, much of what is said is true,... More

I have been going to Cliff's since I was young, so I am a little biased on this account, but I strive to go back every time I re-visit the area. Reading other reviews, much of what is said is true, but I think it depends greatly on what one is looking for in their experience. The owner and employees don't know every book in the store but will direct you to their estimated locations. There are so many books in the store that there are books far from their assigned homes that can be found all over. That, combined with the charm of the warped hallways of old shelves, yellowed comics stapled to random spaces of wall, and a cat that I have seen on occasion, are what give Cliff's its unique character. For the person who wants to get lost in winding nooks and crannies of shelves at war for space, who wants to lose an afternoon in the stacks finding hidden gems, and who doesn't know what they want to see but just that they love a dusty warm smelling atmosphere where they can peruse in silence, Cliff's is perfect. In regard to surly employees, I will say that it seems to have good and bad days. They are particularly intolerant to yuppie types who are inconsiderate to others, such as talking loudly on cell phones and complaining loudly about prices. Surly does happen but it does not mean they are mean. They just seem very set on maintaining order in their domain. Bad apples do happen though. Most are not though: Last time I visited, there was a rude young man who shoved past me and my friend as we were going down an aisle that could be seen from the register. We were annoyed, but continued about our business. We saw the clerk snap his glance up and take note of the guy. A few minutes later I was at the back and the guy was still up front when he answered his phone and started talking really loudly. My friend says she gave him an annoyed look through the bookcase as he was on the next aisle, and the clerk got up and yelled at the guy and told him to leave. Then apologized to my friend. The talking was very loud, and we appreciated the defense of our browsing peace. Naturally I got a phone call I had to take, and had to whisper quietly at the back of the store bc I couldn't bear to stop looking. But I didn't want to incur any wrath. Lol. Basically, I love the store, but it is a unique experience more suited to browsing or general interest than to check specific books off a "to get" list. Pros: gems found, relaxed setting, wide selection Cons: higher prices, sometimes poor condition, occasional surly
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Cliff's is a bookhound's delight. You (or should I say "I") could spend hours upon hours just perusing titles and finding possible purchases. I recommend going in when you have an idea of what... More

Cliff's is a bookhound's delight. You (or should I say "I") could spend hours upon hours just perusing titles and finding possible purchases. I recommend going in when you have an idea of what you're looking for or you will spend hours here. If you are looking for out of print books or just inexpensive reading options...check out Cliff's. I always find something...usually something I didn't even know I was looking for. Pros: Endless books Cons: Endless books
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I used to venture into Cliff's Books every few months when I couldn't find a book on paperbackswap.com and didn't want to pay the prices at Barnes and Noble. The habit, which lasted for a couple of... More

I used to venture into Cliff's Books every few months when I couldn't find a book on paperbackswap.com and didn't want to pay the prices at Barnes and Noble. The habit, which lasted for a couple of years, ended during this summer when I went in for the last time. While the book selection is rather large (and messy and sprawling and hard to navigate), the selection is rather limited. During one visit early this year I asked about seven or eight different authors, all relatively popular, to which the clerk replied, Yeah, we don't really have any books that people actually read. And if you do manage to find a good book, the price will be so steep that it wasn't worth the hour it took you to find it. I'm honestly not even sure how exactly they have managed to stay open so long. Pasadena still has a couple of great bookstores, with great service, selection and prices, including Book Alley down on Colorado near PCC and The Archives Bookshop on Washington Blvd.
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Dig around those dusty books, there's a little gold there. The one guy at the register (working alone)may not know what's in stock, check it out yourself. Twice I purchased first editions (one... More

Dig around those dusty books, there's a little gold there. The one guy at the register (working alone)may not know what's in stock, check it out yourself. Twice I purchased first editions (one signed) that someone missed when they did the pricing. Cliff's selection in American History is wide and deep and the philosophy section commands respect. I strongly recommend you join the book club, 20% off for the next year for only $10.00. TIP: people hide books they wish to purchase later, look behind posts and across the isle, I found a nice first edition Shirer among old travel scraps, and a dear old Putarch's Lives hidden under a book case. Clearly,I enjoy poking around at Cliff's, you will too.
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I was at Cliff's Books a couple of nights ago and was shocked by the terrible state in which I found the store. I had been there a couple of years ago and back then I had thought things were pretty... More

I was at Cliff's Books a couple of nights ago and was shocked by the terrible state in which I found the store. I had been there a couple of years ago and back then I had thought things were pretty bad, but now they've gone from bad to worse. Unfortunately I couldn't stand to be in there for too long as the place was hot and uncomfortable, so in an effort to expedite my business there, I asked the clerk for help in finding a few books I needed. But judging from the way the guy looked at me, you'd have thought I asked him for his wife's number. He simply pointed in the general direction of the back of the store and said They're back there somewhere. Oh well...thanks a lot, buddy. * PROS: Vroman's Bookstore is only half a block away!!!! * CONS: Uncomfortable ambiance, bad organization, over-priced books in bad condition, rude and unhelpful staff.
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I was visiting the city. Needing a couple of books to read, I happened to see this store. The prices are too high for used books - the two used paperbacks I selected were $9 and $10. I would have... More

I was visiting the city. Needing a couple of books to read, I happened to see this store. The prices are too high for used books - the two used paperbacks I selected were $9 and $10. I would have left and gone elsewhere if I had known the area well enough. Then, I couldn't believe what happened next - the clerk actually criticized my selected books. He said they were 'junk', and he wished all such books would be thrown out in the street! And I was the paying customer! Needless to say, this place will never get my business again.
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Browsing around I found a few books I wanted to read. They were kinda dingy and on the verge of falling apart. I thought maybe I'd buy them if they were cheap enough. Just wanted to read them and... More

Browsing around I found a few books I wanted to read. They were kinda dingy and on the verge of falling apart. I thought maybe I'd buy them if they were cheap enough. Just wanted to read them and not have them as a collectible, because clearly they werent in that condition. I was assuming the book would be like two bucks or so, three at the most. Nope the small paperback book was $6.00 and originalIy $7.95. Why on Earth would I pay a few bucks below the original price? Even if it was a first edition, it would be worth nothing in that condition. I understand its hard to compete with places like Barnes and Noble and Borders, but having high prices for your books only drives people to those places. Not all the books were in bad condition, but most of them were overpriced by a few bucks or more. The guy that was in there was rude too, dunno if thats the owner or not. An older guy with an army green hat and facial hair.
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I am a book fanatic, and love used bookstores, but this one I do not. It is the only I don't. It is dirty, smells dirty, and the staff is either distracted or unfriendly/distant. I never can find... More

I am a book fanatic, and love used bookstores, but this one I do not. It is the only I don't. It is dirty, smells dirty, and the staff is either distracted or unfriendly/distant. I never can find any books that I am looking for and if I do, the price is about the same as as buying it at Borders (75-85% of original price). I highly recommend that you avoid this store. PROS: zilch CONS: dirty, unfriendly staff, excessively high prices
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Cliffs Books is a Pasadena area independent used bookstore that has many unusual and rare titles, so its a good place for readers and collectors both to check out. Thanks to CalTech being nearby,... More

Cliffs Books is a Pasadena area independent used bookstore that has many unusual and rare titles, so its a good place for readers and collectors both to check out. Thanks to CalTech being nearby, the store has a solid science section that you usually dont find in a used bookstore. However, if youre looking for a helpful, comfortable bookstore, this isnt it. The staff vacillates from somewhat friendly to downright surly.
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GREAT for browsing ... Thousands of books are stuffed into this small location.. Mostly used.. One can spend hours here just looking if you really love books.. You can leave with several stacks... More

GREAT for browsing ... Thousands of books are stuffed into this small location.. Mostly used.. One can spend hours here just looking if you really love books.. You can leave with several stacks for under $20 if you look for used ones and good deals. Overall, Cliff's Books is HIGHLY recommended for any book lover.
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